Many metal fabricators, machine manufacturers, welding repair shops, and steel service centers encounter unique metal separation problems, particularly with band sawing. They often have to cut a variety of metal grades, shapes, and sizes with only a few band saw machines.

When considering a die lubrication method, you should be sure to evaluate its effect on your entire operation. While most of us focus on how lubrication affects just the manufacture of parts, a close look reveals that it affects many other aspects of running a plant. However, many of them are not obvious.

Reducing nonvalue-added time—back guauge origin, nonprecison clamping surfaces, die shimming, scrap, and inefficient tooling storage—over time can save thousands.

In Step 2 we discussed finding bid opportunities. Before we dive in, it's important to note that recent statistics show that in 2003 the federal government wrote 10.9 million contracts; 23 percent went to small businesses, meaning small businesses actually got $3 billion more work than they thought they would.

Editor's Note: This article, which covers consumables for gas metal arc welding, is the first installment of a two-part article. Part II discusses gas tungsten arc welding consumables.